Monthly Archives: April 2017

Poetry Response: Yet Do I Marvel

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Image result for suffering drawing

I think the poem Yet Do I Marvel, by Countee Cullen had the best use of allusions due to the allusions themselves and the sophistication used. Langston Hughes made excellent allusions, referencing important parts of African-American history. However, I found his allusions were very surface level compared to those of Cullen. The allusions made in Yet Do I Marvel, were more profound in my opinion. The language was more descriptive, and it took more thought to understand the intent behind the allusions. With Hughes’s poem, it was easier to see that his allusions were referencing to parts of history. With Cullen’s poem, it was more difficult because of the intricating wording and allusions to Greek mythology.

Both poems were targeted at the African American community, but I enjoyed Cullen’s poem more because I found it targeted a slightly more general audience. It is arguable that Hughes wrote a poem about being proud of your ancestry (hence making it appeal to everyone) but I found that Cullen’s poem about suffering was more relatable. Everyone suffers. Pain is a part of humanity, and Cullen voices it very well and articulately. The use of allusions made it clearer that the poem’s mood was about pain. He referenced Greek gods that all had paradoxical fates that they were unable to overcome. Hughes used allusions that worked well with his theme, but overall weren’t as superficial as those of Cullen.

I equally enjoyed both poems as poetry always improves my mood. However, I must choose Yet Do I Marvel as the superior poem for it’s use of allusions (and writing style, imagery, etc.)

Feature picture courtesy of Deviant Art  

What may be the result of isolation and loneliness?

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The novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck portrays the results of isolation and loneliness in a negative perspective. In the 1930s, it was common for male migrant workers to travel alone. Therefore, when George, one of the main protagonists, announces that “we travel together” (p.25) people scoff at him in disbelief. They believe George has ulterior motives to take advantage of Lennie. However, others are unable to see how their own isolation has affected their personalities; that having companionship is a human necessity.

George, however understands how important companionship is. Although the other characters are skeptical of his and Lennie’s friendship, Slim, the top skinner, is understanding. George explains that “’I ain’t got no people…I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain’t no good. They don’t have no fun. After a long time, they get mean. They get wantin’ to fight all the time,” (Steinbeck p.41) Slim agrees, saying “Yeah, they get mean. They get so they don’t want to talk to nobody.” (p. 41)

The lack of human interaction can lead to internal bitterness or an unnecessary hatred towards others. Loneliness can lead to an emotional emptiness, but it also triggers stress, which leads to health complications.

Crooks, the “stable buck,” (p. 66) has been excluded from the other workers because of his race. Separation and isolation causes him to become incredibly bitter towards the white men. When Lennie attempts to socialize with Crooks, his reaction is negative. He lashes out at innocent Lennie, harshly stating, “You got no right to come in my room. This here’s my room. Nobody got any right in here but me,” (p.68). Steinbeck demonstrates the effect that isolation has had on Crooks. As a child, he was friends with white children, and “…The white kids come to play at our place, an’ sometimes I went to play with them, and some of them was pretty nice. My ol’ man didn’t like that. But now I know,” (p.70) Crook’s hatred for white men and overall bitterness grew because of how he was treated.

Humans NEED other humans. People crave their alone time, but being continually cut off from society is not healthy. Whether it’s wanting to be around other people, or just needing someone to listen, companionship is important. Curley’s wife, had been ignored for a long time. All she needed was someone to listen to her. Finally, when Lennie listened to her, “…her words tumbled out in a passion of communication, as though she hurried before her listener could be taken away,” (p.88).

A lack of socialization with others results in the destruction of who one is, and replacing one’s personality with anger and hate for towards others.

It is more common for people to be around others than to be isolated today. Therefore, its less common that we realize how important we are to the well being of others.